To the Hawaiians, Aloha means “God in us.”
 
We are living Aloha and joyfully sharing life.
 
The practice of Aloha calls us to
come forward, be in unity and harmony
with our true self, God, and humankind.
Aloha calls us to be authentic, patient, humble,
and kind to all life forms.
 
We are living Aloha and joyfully sharing life.
 
Creation continuously and generously
gives to satisfy our needs.
Just as the wave recedes to gain renewed energy,
we are in a dance of give and take.
Creation gives to us and we are to give back.
 
We are living Aloha and joyfully sharing life.
 
Aloha calls us to love our neighbor,
to live authentically in community—our Ohana—
as Uncles and Aunties to all our children.
 
We are living Aloha and joyfully sharing life.
 
Aloha calls us to listen deeply and see deeply,
to see each other’s true selves
and help to free those angels from their marble shells.
 
We are living Aloha and joyfully sharing life.
 
Tina Datsko de Sanchez serves as Poet in Residence at the First Congregational Church of Long Beach.  She is the author of the bilingual poetry book, The Delirium of Simon Bolivar.